There are
cracks in the foundation. Nothing structural. Nothing that's going to threaten the
stability of the home, but they're there. Nooks, crannies and holes through which seeps an
invisible threat. Colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human, it is none
the less the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon gas - even the name sounds
ominous, evoking images of radiation and nuclear devastation is created when uranium in
the soil decays. The gas then seeps through any access point into a home. Common entry
points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other loose
point. Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas especially basements and
other low-lying, closed areas and build up over time to dangerous levels. The
Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government has set a threshold of 4 pico curies
per liter as the safe level. As humans are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it
can have a significant and detrimental effect.
How widespread is the problem? Radon
has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than others (http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html), but no location is immune.
Concentrations of radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or man-made.
Homes built near historic mining operations may be at higher risk. The only way to tell
for sure is to have a home tested.
Testing for radon comes in two forms:
active and passive. Active devises constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of
the home and display those results. Passive devices collect samples over a period of time
and then are taken away and analyzed. Either method can help you determine your level of
risk. Do-it-yourself kits are available from a number of outlets, normally with passive
devices. Over a period of days, the device is left in the lowest level of the home which
is normally occupied. This eliminates crawl spaces under the house, but includes finished
or unfinished basements. Then the results are analyzed by a professional. The other option
is to engage a qualified professional to conduct the tests properly. The EPA web site (http://www.epa.gov/radon/manufact.htm) provides information on finding
an appropriate resources and testing devices.
If high concentrations of radon are
found in your home, you have several options. Since radon is only a problem when it is
concentrated in high volume, improving the ventilation in an area is often sufficient to
solve the problem. In other cases, it may be necessary to limit the amount of radon
getting into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access points. Once again, a
professional should be engaged to ensure that the radon is effectively blocked. Typical
radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA.
If you're buying or selling a home,
radon can be a significant issue. Buyers should be aware of the radon risk in their area
and determine whether a radon test is desirable. When in doubt, the EPA always recommends
testing. The cost of the test can be built into the house price. If test results already
exist, make sure they are recent or that the home has not been significantly renovated
since the test was performed. If in doubt, get a new test done. If you're selling a home,
having a recent radon test is a great idea. By being proactive, you can assure potential
buyers that there is no risk and avoid the issue from the start.
So whether you have an old home or a
new one, live in an old mining town or in the middle of the Great Plains, radon is a
reality. But it is a reality that we can live with. Proper testing and mitigation, can
eliminate radon as a health threat. For more information, visit the EPA web site on radon
at www.epa.gov/radon. |
